irisheyes66
03-17-2004, 01:01 AM
Reprinted from the Leavenworth Times, AP wire, 3/14/04
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LANSING, Kan. - History buffs want to bring the gallows used to hang the killers immortalized in Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" to a prison museum here.
The Lansing Historical Society, which operates the museum, has a building and blueprints for renovations to accommodate the gallows and other prison artifacts. Department of Corrections transferred the gallows to the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka in 1986.
Bob Keckeisen, museum director for the Kansas State Historical Society, said it's up to lawmakers must resolve concerns about transferring the gallows to the Lansing Historical Society.
The main concern has been raised by Rep. Ward Loyd, R-Garden City, who said some of his southwest Kansas constituents fear the display of the gallows would exploit the Clutter family, whose brutal slayings Capote chronicled in his best-selling books.
Killers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith were drawn to the Clutter home in late 1959 by rumors that the wealthy family kept cash in their rural farmhouse in Holcomb, which is just a few miles from Garden City. When they didn't find any money, Smith and Hickock tortured and brutally murdered the family of four.
The men were executed on April 14, 1965, at what was then the Kansas State Prison in Lansing.
History buffs said they had no desire to exploit the family with the display of the gallows from which more than 40 state, federal and military prisoners were hung.
"History is what we're after, prison history and local community history," said Linda Lockwood, president of the Lansing Historical Society. "That's why we're after (the gallows). We tried to put their fears at rest."
Lansing Historical Society member Mike Neve said the group planned to list everyone hung from the gallows and "probably" provide a brief history.
"I don't see us specifically highlighting anyone," said Neve, also an associate warden at what is now known as Lansing Correctional Facility. "The thing people need to realize, though, is that obviously more is made about that, it's more infamous, and books were written and movies made about it. We can't ignore 100 percent of the publicity that existed."
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I'm a big history buff...but this strikes me as particularly ghoulish :yuck:
Susan in Providence
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LANSING, Kan. - History buffs want to bring the gallows used to hang the killers immortalized in Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" to a prison museum here.
The Lansing Historical Society, which operates the museum, has a building and blueprints for renovations to accommodate the gallows and other prison artifacts. Department of Corrections transferred the gallows to the Kansas State Historical Society in Topeka in 1986.
Bob Keckeisen, museum director for the Kansas State Historical Society, said it's up to lawmakers must resolve concerns about transferring the gallows to the Lansing Historical Society.
The main concern has been raised by Rep. Ward Loyd, R-Garden City, who said some of his southwest Kansas constituents fear the display of the gallows would exploit the Clutter family, whose brutal slayings Capote chronicled in his best-selling books.
Killers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith were drawn to the Clutter home in late 1959 by rumors that the wealthy family kept cash in their rural farmhouse in Holcomb, which is just a few miles from Garden City. When they didn't find any money, Smith and Hickock tortured and brutally murdered the family of four.
The men were executed on April 14, 1965, at what was then the Kansas State Prison in Lansing.
History buffs said they had no desire to exploit the family with the display of the gallows from which more than 40 state, federal and military prisoners were hung.
"History is what we're after, prison history and local community history," said Linda Lockwood, president of the Lansing Historical Society. "That's why we're after (the gallows). We tried to put their fears at rest."
Lansing Historical Society member Mike Neve said the group planned to list everyone hung from the gallows and "probably" provide a brief history.
"I don't see us specifically highlighting anyone," said Neve, also an associate warden at what is now known as Lansing Correctional Facility. "The thing people need to realize, though, is that obviously more is made about that, it's more infamous, and books were written and movies made about it. We can't ignore 100 percent of the publicity that existed."
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I'm a big history buff...but this strikes me as particularly ghoulish :yuck:
Susan in Providence